Estate Planning as a Career

This is a transcript of a presentation delivered by Certified Manuscript Appraiser Brian Kathenes, May 23, 2003 at the Library of Congress, Manuscript Society Annual Meeting.

Moderator— Steve Carson: with: Chris Coover, Christie’s auction House
and Dr. James Hutson, Director Library of Congress

Presenter:
Brian Kathenes, ISA CAPP
Managing Partner
National Appraisal Consultants
Hope, NJ

It is an honor to speak here at this wonderful institution and before my friends and colleagues of The Manuscript Society.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the program.

“Finding a home for your collection.” — an interesting phrase.

Depending upon the “home” you are considering for your collection, the services of a professional appraiser may be beneficial, or even required.

By the end of my short presentation, you will have a better idea of:

how an appraiser can help you find your collection’s home
when you might need an appraiser
how select the right appraiser.

And, interestingly enough, you’ll probably know more about the appraisal process than most people who call themselves appraisers.

Now, before you even consider retaining the services of an appraiser you need to know one important fact.

Anyone can call himself or herself an appraiser. There are no laws or licensing requirements in any US state pertaining to personal property appraisers. That may seem unusual, especially with the antiques road show craze, but it’s true. It seems that anyone who ever bought or sold an antique or a manuscript is an appraiser.

There are dozens of recent incidents, and court cases, of unqualified people that got themselves and their clients into big trouble by calling themselves appraisers.
You’ve probably read about a few of them in Manuscripts News. We (more…)